Taking Out the Windows

I know of a certain career firefighter and volunteer deputy chief that probably cringed when he read this title.  I also know that he has shoulders broad enough to man up and admit the error of his ways.  In his defense, he was young and dumb, very new to the fire service, and not quite up to speed with the lingo.  It was a warm afternoon when we responded to a reported basement fire in a two story cape cod style single family dwelling.  Gray smoke drifted out of the open first floor windows as the initial attack line was stretched to the rear basement entrance. 

Trying to coordinate the perfect timing of hose advancement and ventilation, the incident commander ordered this newbie to "take out the basement windows!"  He then turned his attention to the water supply set-up, issued radio commands to incoming units, tried to keep the homeowners from re-entering the house, and the dozen or more things that need to be done simultaneously by one person.

Turning to check on the progress of the attack team, the chief noticed the basement windows were still intact, and the crew in the basement was taking a beating from the steam.  Thats when he saw him...the newbie... dropping to his knees with a screwdriver in his hand, trying to figure out how to "take the windows out".  The verbal exchange went something like this (F-bombs sanitized for the purpose of internet decency):
          Chief:  What are you doing?
          Greenie:  Taking out the windows like you asked!
          Chief:  Not like that, like THIS!...

Imagine the look on this new guys face, as the chief drop-kicked the first window pane like he was kicking a 30-yard field goal and smokey steam billowed out. Needless to say, the screwdriver plan got scuttled, and a pike pole was used to scuttle the rest of the basement windows.  (No, readers, that was no typo, it was an intended use of the same word with very different meanings.  Get your Websters out if you don't believe me.)

So, thank you, Rich.  Your literal interpretation of an order has been a lasting lesson for me.  I always try make sure that new guys understand our lingo so what I am asking for is what I am gonna get.  Otherwise, imagine the circus that would occur when we give orders like "hit the hydrant, stretch the line, take the front door, lay out, throw a ladder, make the stairway, cover the connections", or the scariest of all, "TERMINATE COMMAND".